Agitator



927 w. R. ELLIS mmron Filed Sgpt. 10. 1926 Patented Aug. 23, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFKIE.

WILSON ELLIS, F BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA.

aerraron.

Application filed September 6 ing element adapted to be manuallyactuated so as to thoroughly whip or beat eggs, cream or the like in aminimum amount of time.

The subject matter of the present invention is in the nature of animprovement upon 1 the agitator forming the subject matter of mycopending application, Serial No. 111,- 362, filed May 24, 1926.

The object of the present, invention is to improve and simplify themechanismof the parent invention, and to reduce the cost of itsmanufacture, without changing its mechanical action or impairing itsefliciency.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of thefollowing 29 description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part'of this specification and inwhich like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout thesame,

Figure 1 is a rear elevation of my improved agitator, a portion of themechanism being broken away to better illustrate the same,

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the invention, the view being taken atright angles to Figure 1,

Figure 3 ,is a bottom plan view of the beater element and base, and

Figure 4 is a detail view of the shaft and 8 its associated partsforming part of my invention,

Figure 5 discloses a modified form of universal joint construction l andassociated mechanism for the preferred form disclosed in Figuresl, 2 and4.

In the accompanying drawings wherein for the purpose of illustration isshown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the

numeral 5 designates a handle having secured thereto a downwardlyextending shank 6. Rotatably mounted on this shank is a gear wheel 7,equipped with a handle 8, which handle serves as a means for the manualrotationof the gear wheel 7.

As illustrated to advantage in Figure 2, the shank 6 is so constructedthat it provides bearings 9 and 10 for receiving therein and rotatablysupportinga shaft 11. Adapted to mesh with the gear 7 is a spur gear 12v which is rigidly fixed upon the shaft 11 below the bearing 10.

10, 1926. Serial No. 184,744.

It will be observed that the shaft 11 is bent near its lower extremityto form an offset arm 12 and is then bent at an angle to the offset" arm12 to provide an eccentric shaft 13 which is rotatably pivoted in ahearing 13' in a base support 14. The said base support 14 has flexiblearms '14 and is slightly convexed sothat they will readily adaptthemselves to bowls of various shapes and sizes.

The numeral 15 designates a collar secured to the lower 'end of theshaft 13 and serves to retain the base plate 14 in a. bearing 15' on theshaft 13.

As illustrated to advantage in Figures 1,.

and is adapted to provide a central and up-- per bearing 18 for theeccentric shaft 13. The referred to bearings 13 and 18' permit theeccentric shaft 13 to rotate within the bearings of the beater element16, while a collar 20 on the shaft 13 confines the vertical movement ofthe beater element 16 on the eccentric shaft 13.

The base 14 is provided with a plurality of upwardly extending teeth 21adapted to be received in and mesh with the series of perforations 17etc., formed in an orbit near the axis of the beater element 16.

In operation. the eccentric shaft 13, being manually rotated by means.of gear wheel 7, will swing on its hearing at an angle and carry thebeater element 16 with it, but as the said eccentric shaft 13 is looselyjournaled in the beater element 16, and since said beater element ispositively geared to the base support 14, a substantial universal ointconnection is established, and the same mechanical movement of thebeater element 16 results, as in my former and co-pendlng application.As disclosed to advantage 1n. F1gure..5, I haveillustrated a modifiedform of universal joint construction and associated mechanism whereinthe numeral-22 designates a sleeve fixed on the shaft 23, which shaftterminates above the lower extremity of the sleeve, while a stub shaft24: is secured to the beater element 16.

Between the top of the stub shaft and the lower extremity of the sleeve23 a ball hearing 25 is positioned in a ball race 26.

Connected to the stub shaft is a link element 27 which engages a secondlink vention may be dispensed with, permitting the material acted uponto restrain the revolutions of the beater element 13; but practicallysuch restraint is only partial.

The resulting motion of the beater element 13, without a positiveuniversal joint control,

is wave-like or undulating, and is not the perfect whipping aeratingmovement secured by the mechanism described in my former and my presentapplication.

But ll wish to claim protection for my invention when the constructioneliminates said fixed connection of the universal joint, as in my formerapplication, or of any mechanical substitute therefor. For it is obviousthat the frictional resistance offered by the material beaten, togetherwith the frictional resistance offered by the contact of the undersideof the beater element 16 with the bottom and sides of the dish orcontainer will operate with clutch-like effect upon the beater element16, and retard its revolution with shaft 13 so that the resulting actionof the beater is very eficacious for certain purpose such, as mixingbatter, whipping cream, mayonnaise, etc.

While I have shown a device which is to be manually actuated,nevertheless, it is to be understood that a power shaft may be connectedto the shaft 11 and the mechanism may be supported by a frame exteriorto the bowl in which the material is beaten.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown anddescribed is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and thatvarious changes relative to the material, shape, size, and arrangementof parts may be resorted to without departing from the s irit of theinvention or the sec e of the su joined claims.

aving thus described my invention, I claim I 1. An agitator comprising amain shaft, .gear mechanism connected to said shaft for rotating thesame, a heater element offset with relation to said shaft, a base platecarried by said shaft, and a universal joint plate and said beaterelement, said base plate being provided with a plurality of teethreceivable in certain of the perforations of said beater element.

3. An agitator comprising a main shaft, gear mechanism for rotating saidshaft, a base plate carried on the lower extremity of said shaft andhaving a plurality of teeth thereon, a perforated beater element fixedon said shaft and rotatable therewith and adapted to receive in certainof the perforations thereof the teeth of the base plate and a universaljoint connection between said base plate and said beater element.

4:. An agitator comprising a main shaft. gear mechanism for rotatingsaid shaft. 21 base plate carried on the lower extremit of said shaftand having a plurality of teeth thereon, a perforated beater elementfixed on said shaft and rotatable therewith and adapted to receive incertain of the perforations thereof the teeth of the base plate. and auniversal joint connection between said base plate and saidbeater-element, said shaft being bent adjacent its lower extremity toprovide an eccentric shaft for carrying thereon said beater element. f

5. An agitator comprising a main shaft ofiset adjacent its lowerextremity to provide an eccentric shaft, gear mechanism for rotatingsaid eccentric shaft, a base plate positioned on the lower extremity ofsaid 'shaft, a heater element carried on the eccentric shaft androtatable therewith and inshaft and said base plate, a universal jointconnection between said plate. and said heater element, said platehaving teeth thereon receivable in certain of the perforations of thebeater element, and means for retaining said heater element on saideccentricsha In testimony whereof-I afiix my signature.

WILSON R. ELLIS

